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Two secondary schools with both public and separate school selections and French Immersion available

Cooperative learning

Perth's Algonquin College has courses in office administration, healthcare and customized industrial training. Their Heritage Trades program in carpentry, millwork and stone masonry has gained international acclaim.

Distance learning and video conferencing.

Health

Perth is serviced by the modern and fully equipped Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital, which is also supplemented by a full range of medical-related clinics and practices found throughout the community.

Perth's history stretches back to the era when Upper and Lower Canada were English colonies.

At the end of the War of 1812, Britain offered land along the Tay River to its officers and soldiers, fulfilling the perceived need to establish a strategic defensive outpost.

Perth was founded in 1816 as one of three military settlements along the Rideau Corridor

The Rideau Canal, built between 1826 and 1832 as a safe inland military route from Kingston to Ottawa, and the Tay Canal, an offshoot of the Lower Rideau Lake, were never needed in war. After commercial uses waned, the area became a mecca for recreation.

The nation's oldest town band - the Perth Citizens' Band - still performs today in the bandstand.

Canada's Last Fatal Duel was fought on the banks of the Tay in 1833 for a lady's honour.

The Mammoth Cheese, a 22,000-pound cheddar, was created here for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

Income and employment

Perth employs 2,455 people

Median annual household income is $47,201

Median annual income (person 15 years or older) is $27,853

Perth's unemployment rate is 7.0%

Data obtained from the 2011 census - new statistics will be available in 2017.

Industrial

Situated on the Trans-Canada Highway with easy access to major roadways, rail services, nearby domestic and international airports, Perth's location is ideal.

Other companies include Perth Soap Inc., Eaton Yale Ltd. and Cosma International. There are two key established areas for industrial development in the east and south ends of town. There are smaller pockets of industrial land available in the west and east ends.

The Town owns approximately 35 acres of industrial land available for industrial development.

Location and geography

Perth is situated in a region which has hundreds of lakes within 50 kilometres and offers a rich natural playground with breathtaking views for both visitors and residents.

Geographically, Perth is situated at the halfway point of Canada's two largest cities, it is 240 km east of Toronto and 220 km west of Montreal.

Similarily, within Eastern Ontario, Perth is situated between the areas largest cities, lying 80 km southeast of Ottawa and 75 km north of Kingston.

Municipal structure and key contacts

Perth is one of eight member municipalities of the County of Lanark.

Town Council is comprised of seven elected officials including a Mayor, a Deputy Mayor and five Councillors.

There are a number of subcommittees of Town Council which include appointed non-elected officials who are responsible for specific matters and report to Council with recommendations.

Lanark County Council is responsible for setting policy and administering various programs at the regional level while its member municipalities like Perth look after matters of local significance.

Membership on County Council includes representatives from all of its affiliated municipalities.

Municipal staff and elected officials can be reached during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the following address:

Perth boasts a full range of affordable housing options. Whether it's retirement estates, a riverfront condominium, century-old stone homes, a custom design-built solution at one of many spacious subdivisions or on the lake, the choices are many and the prices are attractive.

2,945 dwelling units in Perth

Single Detached Dwellings = 1570

Semi Detached Dwellings (# of units) = 265

Duplexes = 25

Townhouses/Row Houses = 130

Small Multi-units = 194

Condominium Apartments = 81

Apartment Dwellings = 498

Senior Residency Dwellings = 81

58% dwelling units are owned

42% dwellings are rented

65% housing is low density (singles and semis)

27% medium density (row/townhouses)

8% high density (apartment)

95 social assisted dwelling units are provided for within the community by three non-profit housing authorities

Number of housing starts over the last three years: 39

Scottish heritage

Perth and the Tay were named after the town and river in Scotland because the landscape reminded the early settlers of their homeland. It became the regional hub for both our Scottish and Irish homesteaders.

As the county town, it continues to be the administrative, social and judicial centre of the area.

Trade area

Perth has an immediate trade area as well as a secondary trade area which includes rural residents, tourists and cottagers.

The secondary trade area extends some 60 kilometers west along Highway #7 to include Arden and 10 kilometers to the east along Highway #43.

Transportation

Major arterial roadways linking major urban centres include TransCanada Highways #7 and #43

Collector roads include #10, #511, #1, #6 that link the Perth community to other rural and urban centres

St. Lawrence and Hudson Railway Line (CPR) travels through the northeastern portion of town

The Tay Canal provides tourist boat travel/access from the Rideau Canal at Beveridge Locks into the downtown core

Waste management

Present reserve 5-6 years in the municipally-owned and operated landfill

A county wide landfill site is expected to provide Perth with a 25+ year capacity

Water supply and sewage disposal

Water supply and distribution system has been in operation for over 60 years

Currently operating at 67% capacity and is expected to meet the demands of the Perth Community over the next 20 years

Sewage collection and treatment system is anticipated to meet the needs of the community over the next 18 to 19 years

Weather

Perth has four seasons that offer a refreshing change of climate about every three months.